The Strength of the King: The Oppressors

They were laughing.

Laughter was a gift from God. It was designed to be precious, to spread joy. Laughter is an overflow of happiness that can't be contained inside... a phenomenon that changes the way a voice sounds, and transforms the entire expression on a face, into one of joy.


Laughter found its way onto the faces of members of ISIS that June day, as they stood outside the Turkish border, and turned away throngs of Syrian refugees trying to escape from their war torn homes into a place of safety just inches away. The men allowed them to get just close enough to see hope, without being able to touch it. In some sickening way, it brought them that joy.

Some injustices I hear about make me feel sympathy, or some kind of softer feeling, for those involved. But this one made me angry. It was so infuriating, to see something that God had created to be so beautiful, and the way the Enemy had perverted it. It was beyond imagination, that anyone could find that much enjoyment in sending innocent people to their deaths.

It's not hard to feel sorry for victims of injustice. We have a natural compassion for the oppressed. But I think how we view the oppressors can be just as defining. I believe with all of my heart that God stands for justice, and it was not His design that any of the oppression we see should take place. But I also believe that His love extends to the oppressors, as well.

The story of Daniel reflects oppression well. This young man was an enslaved refugee, separated from his home and his loved ones by the tyranny of the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar. What was unjust, and God didn't stand by and watch; He raised up a mighty man of prayer, and eventually returned his people to their home. He didn't ignore what was happening to the victims; God freed them, and stood for justice in their lives. But one of the most incredible things in the story is that God doesn't just bring His light to the oppressed; He revealed Himself to a man who, according to historians and theologians, was arguably the most cruel, bloodthirsty, inhumane ruler in all the ancient world. One of the most amazing songs of praise to God was written by King Nebuchadnezzar himself:

"His dominion is an eternal dominion;

    his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

35 

All the peoples of the earth

    are regarded as nothing.

He does as he pleases

    with the powers of heaven

    and the peoples of the earth.

No one can hold back his hand

    or say to him: “What have you done?”

                                       -Daniel 4:34b-35

God didn't condone what Nebuchadnezzar did. But the power of forgiveness and redemption was stronger. God hates sin...His Word leaves no question on that issue. But He loves sinners. He died for them. For us. He forgave us, and, through the blood of Jesus, rescued us from our enslavement to the power of the enemy, and gave us the righteousness of Christ and the ability to walk in freedom.

As His followers, we are called to hate sin as well, both in our own lives and in the world around us. When injustice arises, we don't sit back and watch. But that doesn't mean hating the sinner. We are called to forgive, and show love, as His body.

Why?  Because we are no different. I know, we've dampened the effects of our sins. They seem so much smaller, through our earthly lenses. Even as I write this, it is so hard to reconcile in my mind the fact that on a spiritual level, my sin is as terrible as the atrocities of ISIS. But the Biblical model is clear. Jesus said in Matthew 5 that even one who becomes angry with his brother is guilty of murder, through the eyes of Heaven. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

But just as all have fallen, all are able to be rescued. There are stories coming out from all over the world that are horrifying... but there are also stories of unbelievable hope. The churches in dark corners of the world like China and Iran are growing underground at unbelievable rates. Former terrorists, even members of ISIS, are coming to know the love of Jesus.

There is hope, even for the oppressors.

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Worship Song: 

"Break Every Chain",
by The Digital Age